SEE VIDEO: Princess Charlotte christened at Sandringham church

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Published:19:37Sunday 05 July 2015

The christening of Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has taken place at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, on the Sandringham estate.

Thousands of wellwishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the family both before and after the service, with many having queued for several hours and some sleeping in their cars overnight to get the best possible spot.

Amid loud cheers from the crowds, Prince George walked to the church alongside his father, while his mother pushed the pram carrying the young princess.

Among the crowds, Rebecca McKenzie, from Derbyshire, said after the service: “They just look perfect, all four of them.”

Earlier, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, had been among the royal guests arriving by car.

The Queen and the Duke also left the church by car, while the other guests walked back to the house.

The service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Very Revd Justin Welby, supported by the rector of the Sandringham group of parishes, the Rev Canon Jonathan Riviere.

And flowers given by visitors are to be donated to the East Anglian Children’s Hospices, of which the Duchess of Cambridge is a patron.

Spokesman Laura Beveridge said the blooms would be shared around the charity’s three hospice sites.

She added: “We’re thrilled to have been invited and to enjoy the occasion.”

Ahead of the service, wellwishers from home and abroad had waited to secure a position outside the church.

One onlooker, Laurie Spencer, who is currently on holiday from her home in Florida, chose to come to Sandringham instead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

She said she had offered her ticket to a diner in a London restaurant who overheard her trying to persuade her husband James to go to the christening instead of the race.

She said: “I gave away my ticket because I didn’t want to miss the christening. I’m so excited to be here.”

From closer to home, Linda Kitto, of Harply, said she had been excited by the event from the moment it was announced.

She said: “The Royals are special people and Kate and William are lovely.”

Margaret Banks, of South Wootton, said having the christening at Sandringham was “wonderful, absolutely superb.”

A regular visitor to the estate, she added: “It’s so nice to be able to come to Her Majesty’s estate and enjoy it.”

However, the day’s celebrations came as a welcome surprise to Sam Harrington, from Spalding, who was visiting the estate with her grandchildren Bradley and Kayleigh Walters, aged 13 and 12.

She said: “We didn’t even know the christening was taking place here.

“We came here a couple of weeks ago with one grandchild and we decided to bring the others today. We can’t believe it.”

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